High Conflict Co-Parenting

If you are co-parenting with someone who uses conflict, manipulation or control as a tool, this information pack was written for you.

High Conflict Co-Parenting is a practical, step by step pack for protecting yourself, your child and your peace when standard co-parenting advice does not work. It is written by Lauren Bishop from lived experience of emotional and domestic abuse, high conflict co-parenting and single motherhood. This is not theory. It is what helped me.

Inside this 26 chapter information pack you will find:

Where to start

• A "first week" checklist if you have just landed in this situation
• What high conflict co-parenting actually is, and why it is different from ordinary disagreement
• Understanding the high conflict personality, so you can stop taking it personally

Protecting your nervous system

• How sustained conflict affects your body
• Why you react the way you do when a message from your ex arrives
• Practical tools, including The STEADY Method, to help you respond rather than react

Communication tools and scripts

• The Grey Rock Method explained, with real examples
• The golden rules of high conflict communication
• Ready to use scripts for hostile messages, last minute changes, false accusations, boundary setting and being pushed for an immediate decision

Protecting yourself legally

• How to document effectively, and why it matters
• What a Child Arrangements Order covers and what to do when it is breached
• When and how to involve a solicitor
• A printable checklist for before you meet a solicitor or speak to Cafcass
• A printable communication log

Your child

• Parallel parenting in practice
• When your child is used as a tool, and how to respond
• Recognising the early signs of parental alienation
• Protecting your child's emotional health
• Managing handovers calmly
• What to do when they do not show up
• Planning Christmas and the school holidays early
• If your ex wants to move away, or you do

The practical stuff

• Financial conflict and how to protect yourself
• Building a support system that actually helps
• Rebuilding your confidence
• Daily affirmations for the difficult days
• A UK directory of support, including free legal advice, domestic abuse support and emergency contacts

This information pack is for you if:
You are exhausted from walking on eggshells. You are tired of being provoked, manipulated or worn down. You want to protect your child, hold your boundaries and rebuild your steadiness without losing yourself in the process.

You do not have to keep navigating this alone. Everything you need is inside.

The legal information relates to England and Wales. This information pack is based on lived experience and practical thinking. It is not legal or clinical advice.